Glass severing apparatus



Aug. 15, 195o Filed nay a, 1947 c. w. CRAIG 2,518,871

GLASS SEVERING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

Q/ 1f L/ f 94 `ChaT-LeS WYCVELQ,

b5 UM- 7W y I La v His Aftfborfne-Q c. w. CRAIG GLASS SEVERING APPARATUS Aug. 15, 195o s sheets-sneer 2 Filed May 8, 1947 lnventor Char'Les W. Craig, bg ,U12/VMT Y His AHoneg Aug, 15, 195o e. w. cmg 2,518,871

GLASS sEvERIN APPARATUS Filed May 8, 19,47' sheetssneet s FEA.

hmvervtor Char'LeS W. Craig,

Patented Aug. 15, 1950 I Charles W.- Craig, South Euclid, Ohio, assigner to General Electric Company, a corporation of New -York Application May s", 1947*,'seria1No- 746,690

My invention relates to improved shearing ap-A paratus for severing a stream of molten glass issuing from a furnace orifice into successive gobs or mold charges. f 5

One object of I my invention is -to provide ap paratus for severing a stream of molten glass at very accurately determined intervals land in a satisfactory and exactlyduplicated manner. IDifficulty has been experienced heretofore in severing the rapidly flowing stream of glass necessary for present day high speed operation in that any differences in the interval or manner of severing result in greatly magnified differences ,in the mold charges into which the stream'is formed. Heretofore many of the differencesinsuccessive shearing operations wereins'igniflcant and of no consequence since no appreciable differences inthe mold charges resulted therefrom; however. the speed of operation andconsequently' the rate of ilow of the glass stream have now increased to a 'point where said differences result in prohibitive f variation in weight, physical shape, chilled condition and proper feeding of themold charge.`

The stream is commonly severedv by oppositely disposed shear blades which arebrought into contact with the moving stream momentarily and then removed from the path of the stream. c' The more rapidly the shearing operation is performed the less interference is provided to the movement l of the stream and the less drawing-out'of the cut surface results.` Each succeeding cycleV of operationof the apparatus must occur at the desired moment and must fbe completed in exactly the sameinterval ofV time to be satisfactory. Many shearing `apparatuses are not capable of such rapid and accurate operation and have a secondary cycle of operation wherein every other shearing operation is duplicated but where variations occur between succeeding shearing operations; Still other apparatus is greatly affectedby temperature changes, byV different stream viscosities, wear and many` other conditions.

Another objectof my invention is to provide well constructed apparatus for severing a stream of molten glass which apparatus is capable of very accurate manufacture, accurate controlv and so adequately cooled as to permit satisfactory `operation in continuous service for a considerable period of time. The apparatus must be capable of operation for as much of the heat periods of the glass furnace as required to avoid interruptions and consequent unavoidable temperature, etc. changes inthe apparatus and melt.

Still other objects and advantages `of vmy invention will appear from the following detailed def scription of a species-thereof and-from the drawine.` 1` l" In thedrawing,V Fig.1 is` aA plan View` of 3a species of shearing apparatus comprising my in` vention from which an end p'ortionandf anoverl 8 Claims. (Ul. 453-14) lying portion has been broken away; Fig. 2 isa vertical section through the apparatus along line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective viewr on a larger scale of the carriage and connected'means of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is a section through the apparatus along line 4 4 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rack, ycrank means and associated operating mechanism of theapparatus.

The shearing apparatus disclosed inthe drawing is mounted below a discharge orice in the bottom of a glass furnace in a position permitting -the cutting blades or shears I and 2 of said apparatus to close on and shear the stream 3 of molten glass issuing from said orilice. The cutting blades I and 2, as shown in Fig. 1, are located equal distances on opposite sides of the path of movement of the stream 3 during the inoperative period of their cycle of operations and are moved toward each other until said stream 3 is contacted and severed and then o-ut again to the open position in each cycle of operation.

The movement of the cutting blades I and 2 results from pivotal movements of the levers t and 5 about corresponding stationary lpins 6 (only one appearing in the drawing) which are held at their lower ends by a portion of the frame I of the apparatus and at their upper'ends by a separate plate-like frame member 8. The cutting blades I and 2 are mounted against a raised shoulder 9 of each'lever 4 and 5, and are clamped thereto in a conventional manner by the plates IE) into which are threaded and tted the bolts I I and guide studs I2 respectively.

In the severing movement of the cutting blades I and 2, each wipes across the adjacent face of the other tol produce a shearing action on kthe molten stream which action is performed with su'ch rapidity and accuracy that the glass charge or goby developed thereby remains in the form of the stream 3 and free of blemishes along the cut faces. A guide I3 also of conventional construe tion located below the cutting blade 2 in a customary position prevents the sideward thrust of the opposite and lowermost cutting blade I Yfrom deilecting-the charge from its normal downward path of travel. The guide I3 extends through a slot in the end of the lever 5 in which it is held by the clamping action of the plate it located below the heads of bolts I5 and I6 and is capableof accurate adjustment through rotation of the nut II which is locked within a slot in a laterally extending heel portion of the guide I3 and which is threaded fonto the stud I8 on lever 5.

The satisfactory nature of the shearing opera tion is maintained in part through the facilities for keeping the cutting blades I and 2 inl proper alignment at all times. To this end, is provided means for circulating water through the hollow blade-supporting arms of the levers t and 5, the

at all operation periods of theapparatus.

othercylinderthrough the other valve 58(01 61) The limit of operation is reached when the piston 62 `(or 65)` opposite that underthe inlluence of compressed air engagesthe head 1l of the cylinder .6I (or 64) during the forced movement thereof .in which air exhausts from the cylinder 6| A(or llill) through the spaced inlet and exhaust ports .or-passages 12 and 13 therein,'the bleeder valve z"i4 and the valve 61 (or 68) associated therewith.

Each cycle of operation of the apparatus, as determined by the resetting of the valves'61and 68,-is brought about `by rsuitable timed control jmeans which is caused to actuate the valves 61 vand 68 through the `making and breaking ofelectrical circuits connectedto the solenoids 15 and 16 associated with said valves 61 and 68. The timing-means can be of any of severalcommercial .forms,-one of which has an electricmotor rotating ,cams whichoperate the switching means and another of which has electronic means for controlling the switching'. `The apparatus, as it .is shown in the drawing, has completed a cycle of operation which was initiated by an operation ofthe timing means which-provides for the con- 4nection of the coil 11 of the solenoid 16 toa source of electricity whereby the armature 18 thereof is .caused to move to the position shown (Fig. 4), pushing'the rod 19, the armature 88 of the solenoid15 4and the valving pin 8| of the valve 81 correspondingly. The pressure of the compressed s air entering the valve 6,8,from the associated pipe Vfitting 10 and bearing against the head end of the valving pin 82 located behind the cap 83 thereof shifts the valving pin 82 longitudinally in keep- Ying with the movement `of Vthe armature 18 of .the solenoid 16 against which it butts. At-these positions lof the valving pins V8| and 82, compressed air iiows freely from the chamber of valve 68 to the cylinder 64 through the connecting pasf sage 13 at the extreme head end thereof and the compressed air trapped behind piston 62in cylinder '6| is allowed to escape to the atmosphere through the associated passages 12 in the cylinder vwall-and the connected passage 85 and exhaust passage 86` which terminates beyond the head of valving pin 8l. Additional escape means is pro- -videdforthe air in cylinder 6| by the associated .passage 13 and branch passage14 which is connected to passage 85 and'which is restricted by `the end-of adjustingscrew 81. The escape openings 12 andV 13 for the air are spaced from the headend of the cylinder 6|` amounts which allow kthe piston 62 to gradually move over one end thereof "andblock off said openings 12 thereby reiecting a cushioned stop at 'the' end' `of the motion. The cushioning eiect occurs aiter'the apparatus moves sufficientlyv to completely shear the molten stream and the cutting blades I and 2'are`being returned toA the rest position and, therefore, does not retard the shearing operation whichV takes place at the height of movement of the pistons 82 and 6 5. It is not possible toadjust the cycle of operation of the apparatus and changethelelicate balance of succeeding cycles thereof as the adjusting screw 81 associated with cylinder 6l and the corresponding screw 81 associated withV the cylinder 64 ,are capable of effecting, to any extent, only the Very final movements of the pistons 62 and 65. `In the manufacture of the shearing apparatus, perfect balance is assured in certain instances by disassembling it after. test and altering the size of the passages 12 asjrequired The function of the 'adjusting Screwxl is to. Control theflnalcushioning 0f fthe operation cyclefso that diierent-air vpressures vcannot cause an abrupt stop to said operation.

about at the properly timed interval thereafter by the connection of the coil` 88 of solenoid 15 to the source of electricity by the timing control apparatus. This results in the movement of the armature8il of the solenoid 15, causing the rod 19, armature 18 and valving pin 82 to be shifted longitudinally and allowing valving pin 8| to shift whereby compressed air is admitted into cylin- .der 8l and air is exhausted from bracket 89 which supports rod 19 and whichis fastened to theframe 1 of the apparatus.

Each cycle of operation of the apparatus oc- ,curs in exactly the same time interval due to exact duplication of apparatus associated withA each cylinder. Futher assurance of constant uniform operation of the apparatus is brought about by the shielding and cooling effect of wa'- ter circulated through the passages V90 formed between the frame member 8 and the cover plate 9i attached thereto. The water is introduced into ,the passages 96 in the frame member 8 by the discharge hoses 92 attached tothe levers 4 and 5 and circulates over the ribs 93 of the frame member 8 to corresponding outlet fittings and hoses 94 (onlygone being shown) at the opposite side thereof. The apparatus is particularly suited to avoid all misalignment of partsv because of uneven heating and expansion of the parts thereof and to provide a positive and strong Vshearing operation which provides for the quick withdrawal of the shearing blades after their shearing function is completed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Glass severing mechanism comprising shears, a longitudinally movable rod member, means dening slide ways to support said Vrod .member and conine its movement to a longitudinal direction, means operatively connecting said member to said shears to close and open said shears vduring its continued 'rectilinear movement in one direction, and means for operating said member comprising opposed cylinders located at opposite ends of said member, a piston in each of said cylinders and engageable with the adjacent end of said member solely by abutting contact, and valve means associated with cach cylinder for alternately admitting a Ifluid into one of said cylinders and allowing exhaust of Yfluid from the other cylinder.

2. Glass `severing mechanism shears, a longitudinally movable rack member, means deningways to support said rack member and conne its movement to a. longitudinal direction, means operatively connecting said member to said shears to close and open'said shears during its continued rectilinear movelment inone direction, including a; gear engaging :the teeth onsaid rack member, and means for operating said member comprising opposed cylinders located at opposite ends of said member, .a piston'in each of said cylinders and engage-'- able with the adjacent end of said member solely vby abutting contact, and valve means associated ,with each cylinder for alternately admitting aV iluid into" one of said cylinders and allowing exfl'iaust of iluid from the othercylinder.

cylinder 64. vBoth solenoids `15 and 16 are mounted on vthe comprising' '3.' Glass' severi jing opposed cylinders located at opposite ends of said member, a piston in each of said cylinders and engageable with the 'adjacent `end of said member solely by 'abutting 'eo tact, vopposed valve means including a valve pin carried by each cylinder for alternately admitting a uid into one of. said cylinders and allowing exhaust of fluid 'from the` other cylinder, and operating means for the Valves including a memberl reciprocable` in a rectilinear path and located between and engageable with said valve 'pins vsolely by abutting contact. 1

4. Glass severing mecharlisin comprising shears, a longitudinally movablerneirib'eri, neans operatively connecting lsaid member to said shears to lclose and open said shears during' its continued rectilinear movement in one direction, and means for operating said member comprising opposed cylinders located at opposite ends of said member, a piston in each of said cylinders and engageable with the Aadjacent end o -said member .solely by abutting contact, and Vvalve means associated with each cylinder for alternately admitting a ulil into One of said Cylinders andY allowing exhaust of ilu-id from 'the other cylinder, and means Aassociated with sa-id y'a-lve means for `restricting the exhaust A`of ffluid from said cylinders Vjust before the -said pistons lreach the limits of their exhaust strokes whereby to `cushion the operation of the said pistons. l Y

A5. 'Glass severing mechanism comprising shears, a longitudinally Io/able member, means operatively connecting 'sa-id member 'to fs'aid shears to close and open sa-id shears during its -continued `rectilinear movement one direction, and means for operati-ng said member comprise -ing opposed cylinders located at opposite ends of said member, a piston in each of said cylinders and engageable with the adjacent 'eiid of said .t

member solely by abutting contact, fand valve means associated with ea'ch cylinder 'for alter;- nately admitting a fluid into one of said-cylin- Fders and allowing exhaust of uuid-from the other cylinder, and means associated with {said valve means Yfor restricting 'the exhaust of iiui'd Tfrom said cylinders just before the ysaid l'pistons 'reach the limits of their exhaust strokes whereby `t'o 1cushion the operation of Athe isaid spistoris, said last-mentioned means including manually 'adLA f justable bleeder valve members.

`6. Glass severing mechanism comprisiz'ig shears, a longitudinally movable member, means Aoperatively connecting said member to said shears sto close'an'd open said :shears during its continued `rectilinear movement in one direction, kand means for operating :said l-nember comprising o'pposed. cylinders located at opposite lends of Afsaid member, and each having ya series of 'inlet and exhaust ports4 in the `side walls 'thereof iat :and various distances from the headendther'eof, a piston in v'each of said cylinders operative engagement with the adjacent endofsaidimember and movable successively across the said 'see ries of ports, and valve means l'associated 'with s the remaining ports, said eValve lpin'closi-.ng'isaid port at the iieaa end of the cylinder from said inlet passage and leaving saidrexhaust passage open to the atmosphere during the exhaust cycle of the associated cylinder, means to supply fluid 'under pressure continually to the inlet passages o f the valve means associated with both said cyl*- inders, and means faiiording 'restricted communication between the 'said port at the head end rof the vcylinder and the said exhaust passage where# by to vf'zllshion 'the operation of the piston on its exhaust stroke.

` '17. Glass severing mechanism comprising shears, a longitudinally movable member, means operativelyconnecting said member to said shears to close and open said 'shears during its continued rectilinear movement in one direction, and means for operating said member compris- 'ing opposed cylinders locatedat opposite ends of said member, and each having a series of -inle'tV and exhaust ports in the side walls thereof at and various distances from the head end there of, a piston in each of said cylinders in operative engagement 'with the adjacent' end of said member and movable successively Aacross the said series of ports, and valve means associated with each cylinder and including a valve pin and passages including an inlet passage communicating with the said port at the head end of the cylin- 'der fand an exhaust passage communicating with the remaining ports, said Valve pin closing said port at the head end of the cylinder from said inlet 'passage and leaving said exhaust 'passage open to the atmosphere during the exhaust cycle of the associated cylinder, means to supply iiuld under pressure continually 'to the inlet passages of the valve means associated with both said cylinders, and means comprising a manually ad'- jus't'able bleeder valve member aiording restricted :communica-'tion between the `saidpor-t at the head ve'nd ofthe 'cylinder and 'the said exhaust .passage whereby to cushion the operation 'of the piston on its exhaust'fstroke.

B. Glass 'severing mechanism comprising a support iframe, a 'pair of shears carried by lever 'arms pivotallymou'nted at one end of said frame, "a cross head, link' means connecting each ofsaid lever arms to said cross head, vmeans mounting said cross head on said frame for rectilinear movement along the'projectionof aline which lies midway between the pivot raxes of said lever arms and normal to 'the line joining said pivot axes, a `pair of opposed and aligned cylinders integral with said frame and located at opposite sides thereof on an axis substantially normal to the 1path of movement of said cross head, a piston in each vof'sa'id cylinders, `a rack extending lon'gitudinally -between said pistons and engageable xtherewith solely by abutting contact, .means mounting said rackon lsaid frame :for rectilinear movement -by said pistons, a gear mounted Ion 'said -frame in meshing engagement wit-h said rack, a crank arm attached to said gear, `and means operatively interconnecting said crank arm with saidcross head to effect reciprocation of said cross head. l l

CHARLES W. CRAIG.

REFERENCES CITED "The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

JUNlfrED STATES PATENTS 

